Series of Attacks in Paris Leaves Dozens Dead

A general view of the scene that shows rescue services personnel working near the covered bodies outside a restaurant following a shooting incident in Paris, France, November 13, 2015. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer

158 people have been killed as a series of violent attacks took place in the French capital city of Paris, the Associated Press said, citing two police officials.

According to Agence France-Presse (AFP), a security source said the attacks took place in seven different locations around Paris.

118 people were killed at the Bataclan theater in the 11th arrondissement after armed attackers opened fire on the crowd and held dozens hostage before killing them.

AFP reported police forces stormed the concert hall where the hostages were being held. According to The Telegraph, two of the terrorists at the theater were killed in the raid. Police say 100 individuals were killed before security forces were able to raid the theater and carry out evacuations.

A hostage who escaped from the theater prior to the police raid said that the attackers were “calmly” executing the hostages in silence. He reportedly managed to escape as the assailants were reloading their guns.

Translation: In the face of terror, this is a nation that knows how to defend itself, knows how to mobilize its forces, and once again, will vanquish the terrorists.

There have reportedly been two other shootings in rue de Charonne and at the Les Halles shopping mall.

There are no official statements clarifying who is behind any of the attacks, or if they were coordinated. There are unofficial reports that the explosions outside the stadium were suicide bombings.

CNN reported that one of the attackers who was captured admitted to being a member of terrorist group ISIS. However, this claim has yet to be confirmed as true.

BFMTV, a French television channel, reported that one of the gunmen attacking the Bataclan music theater shouted, “This is for Syria” before opening fire.

Following the attacks, French President François Hollande issued a state of emergency and announced via a televised address that the military has been deployed across Paris, putting the city on complete lockdown. The President also decided to close the country’s borders in the wake of what he called “unprecedented terrorist attacks”.

Hollande was at the Stade de France to watch the soccer match but was evacuated as the explosions were heard from inside the stadium.

For the first time since 1944, a curfew has been enforced in Paris. The city’s mayor also urged citizens to refrain from leaving their homes.

British Prime Minister David Cameron took to Twitter to express his condolences and voice his support, saying, “We will do whatever we can to help.”

I am shocked by events in Paris tonight. Our thoughts and prayers are with the French people. We will do whatever we can to help. — David Cameron (@David_Cameron) November 13, 2015

US President Barack Obama delivered a speech after news of the attacks broke, describing the incidents as an “attack on all humanity” and “an outrageous attempt to terrorize civilians”.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel also expressed her condolences and “deep shock”

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